The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-02-16

And the resuIt?7 he asked, quietly
What was it
Noanswer came, she returned. grave
ly but earnestly Possibly those who
read the words did not believe in their
truth or possibly some did 50 who were
not in position to aid US
-" see, and uncle Fred spoke now as
il dreamily. There I must leave you,
Miss Josephine Very sorry for it-very
sorry, indeed. Have just sud lenly re-
membered something. You'll excuse my
running away thus abruptly; won'ty you
VIII be a trife more courteous next time.
Horrible hard hearted of the people
wasn't it, Miss Josephine And thus
talking glibly-as if, too. he did not ex-
artly know what he was saying-Unc
Fred lifted his hat and disappeared
The following Thursday morning, Just
a. Miss Josephine was starting for her
+ usual daily occupation, . letter was placed
in her hand by the postman; after read
ing which, that young lady marched de-
hberately up stairs again removed her
hat and cloak, chased away with her
pocket handkerchief great many tears
f that for some reason or other would insist
upon pouring down her cheeks, and then
/ set TO work to re-read the following words ;
DEAR MIS- JOSEPHINE: Pardon my
abrupt leaye-tJking Of you yesterday !;
( but will now explain. Returning home
T expressly by way Of the poSt-ofiice did
a small stroke of business there on my
+ own account
Miss Elsie Falconbridge was out, hay
ing gone 10 spend the evening with the
widowed and alas. now childless mother
+ Of her once. and SO lately. too. sailor lover
/ We have, however, already spoken to-
/ sether-you and I-of this unlocked for
/ event. also Of the brave way in which
Miss Elsie bear, the blow
But l would now speak Of something
/ else-so selfish are We all in this world,
you see. I persuaded the good dame,
/ Janet Isle. 10 assist me in something
/ which was puzzlin- me not little
I heard last evening for the first time,
of course-and from YOUR own lips, most
strange to say-that a twenty dollar note
which 1 had sent you in answer to yJur
/ advertisement asking Tor aid. never reach
ei YOU II had not, now find. been mis-
carried in the ordinary way that letters
10 occasionally 90 astray: but it was as
impossible, YOU win presently see, that it
should ever have reached your present
abode, as the residence of one Of the an
Client partriarchs-
The letter containing the amount
named was, it appears, although placed
in registered envelope, for which l duly
paid, never dispatched and inthe hurry
skurry Of the moment It was never en-
tered. either in the official book The
fault var, Of course, my own, quite as
much as that Of any one else; but every
one was asking hurried questions at the
moment and my letter--yours, rather
paid the penalty Then, q fate would
have it. it landed Itself otherwise than in
the Legitimate post-bag, and dropped,
how Is best known 70 itself behind a box
that i rarely opened.
-Forgiye the details, however. Janet
Lisle had only discovered the thus hid
den-away missive half an hour before
appeared upon the scene-uark the coin
cidence-and was in a state of no little
CONSERVATION.
''Picture-also my own dismay.
The mystery, however, is now solved.
4 will not again tender the a mount
for your acceptance, a. there certainly
seems 10 be- something unfortunate at
tending its career-besidee which. on my
part. I am going to ask a favor from
yourself.
VIII you. ! ask, become my wife?-
and also kindly acknowledge the receipt
of this letter, promptly, or shall be com
PEELED to take 1t for granted that my sec
ond communication has shared the fate
Of my first UScrE FRED.
Miss Josephine ike wise woman,
answered the letter just received by re-
turn of post,
The years have flown since then. and
matters 20 much as usual IN that small
township of Lammerton.
But there are changes, nevertheless
Janet Lisle knows her place no more
in the coy little post-otiice. She had al
ready gone home long since To rest. and
sweet Elsie Falcoubridge ! now the mis-
tress Of everything.
Her hair, however, though still beauti-
ful Is in these days whiie-wbite as the
driven snow ; and the abiding expression
on her still handsome face Is that Of one
who mas passed through mighty and
terrible sea Of trouble. and borne the trial
only as a true heroine could.
She knows. sine says. that God has or
dered all, and that she shall see her
sailor lover again one day in heaven.
But there Is still one person in the
world whom she loves dearly, and that
Is the happy, true-hearted wife of TN
Gle Fred
4 owe all-eyery bit. in fact-of my
happiness to you, sweetest Elsie a.
Josephine SAYS. 1T all dates from the
day-don't you remember?-when you
gave me mullins and crumpets.
And also dispatched my registered
letter 20 carefully, remarks Uncle Fred
quantity.
The First Keen TWinge.
A. the season advances, tlfe pains and
aches by which rheumatism makes itself
known, are experienced after every ex-